Chapter Eighteen
Annie woke slowly to the sound of birdsong. That was so much better than the harsh invasion of her alarm clock of her Edinburgh life. Her eyes opened to the sight of Billy's face, sleeping peacefully next to her. She wondered what he was dreaming about right then as she watched from outside his dream world. Was he thinking of Annie?
The soft bleating of their sheep joined the chorus and Annie rolled onto her back and closed her eyes. The lush pasture at this time of year meant the rush to get out and feed then was not as urgent. She and Billy could enjoy their long lie, if you consider six-thirty to be a long lie, which Annie would soon get used to without any problem. She listened to Billy quietly breathe next to her ear. For such a big man, he dreamed so softly.
“Morning, beautiful.” Billy's voice broke into Annie's thoughts.
She grinned and turned to face him without speaking. Instead, she leaned over and kissed him deeply and sensually. For once, she didn't give a toss about morning breath or sweaty armpits. She wanted him. None of that stressy shit mattered. Billy reciprocated her seduction and rolled Annie onto her back and made love to her without question. They didn't have to talk. They both knew what the other wanted.
As Annie washed up the breakfast dishes and looked out at the field behind the kitchen, she had to pinch herself that this was her new life. Her plan for today was to tackle the kitchen. The farmhouse had been neglected for months and she would have to approach it methodically. There was no way the clean up was going to be an overnight job but hopefully, it would be in good order for the day Gordon got home from his rehabilitation. Ironically, the cupboard under the sink was filled with all kinds of cleaning products with associated cloths and scourers and sponges. A dust covered mop and bucket lay forlornly at the back of the store cupboard. Annie had no idea when that had been purchased but it still had its label in place on the handle.
Annie tied the handle of the third black bin bag and left it by the front door to take outside to their large wheely bin in one trip. Thankfully tomorrow was bin day and the refuse van would make its weekly bounce up the farm track to take away the waste. Annie was surprised that the council still permitted its drivers to tackle the perilous trip every week. She was, however, very grateful that they did. Annie scribbled into her notebook about contacting a firm about getting a quote for fixing the track, and soon. Annie opened the pantry and stepped inside to check the dates on its contents. Surprisingly, most of the tins and packets were still edible, apart from several jars of spices dated for the last century. She heaved the large pine kitchen table and chairs outside and took the bucket of hot soapy water to it. She scrubbed away the layers of grease and fat, which had gathered in every nook and cranny, including the table and chair legs, then left them outside to dry in the warm morning sunshine. The challenge of the clean up was satisfying and a trickle of sweat gathered on Annie's neck. She heard the washing machine beep three times to indicate another load was finished and moved back indoors to empty the sheets and duvet covers from her dad's bed. She held them to her face and inhaled the fresh scent of honeysuckle and rose washing powder which was a damn sight better than the fragrance they wafted before going in the washing machine. The morning sunshine brought with it a mild breeze and Annie hung them on the line next to the clothes from his laundry basket. She's even hung the cotton basket next to them to allow it to breathe after the ordeal of holding the filthy clothes for goodness knows how long. She swept every part of the kitchen floor, getting down on her hands and knees to sweep out behind the cooker with the small hand brush, then mopped over the whole area three times. Every surface was wiped and scrubbed—once with hot soapy water then again with anti-bacterial spray. It was unfortunate that neither the toaster nor the bread bin could be saved. They had to go in the pile to be taken to the tip. Annie wasn't sure but wondered if she saw a couple of mouse droppings in the bread bin. She shuddered at the thought.
With the fourth bag filled and ready for the bin, Annie made her way outside. She lifted the lid of the wheely bin just as a figure in Billy's window caught her eye. Annie was taken aback to see a pretty young woman dressed in pyjamas consisting of skimpy shorts and vest top, looking very much at home scoffing down a bowl of cereal. The girl looked no more than twenty, if even that old. Billy didn't mention his visitor last night, or this morning, for that matter. Annie was surprised; he was almost twice her age. Her heart sank when she realised she really didn't know him at all. She was angry with herself for once again getting involved with someone before really knowing anything about them. His cottage had one photo for goodness sake. Where had he come from? Was Billy even his real name? Annie's mind raced until her phone rang out in her pocket.
Billy's mystery visitor would have to wait. Kate sounded concerned. It wasn't like Betty not to turn up to sit with Sophie while Kate went grocery shopping. Despite being her fifth child, Kate still didn't ever relish the supermarket shop with a toddler so had a weekly arrangement with Betty. This morning Betty didn't show up and wasn't answering her phone.
“Just give me five minutes, Kate, and I'll meet you over there.”
Kate asked her next-door neighbour to watch Sophie and made her way to meet Annie outside Betty's front door.